Yu Darvish Fans 12 in Texas Victory; Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel Notches 30th Save

Players of the Day for Friday, July 18, 2014

American League

Darvish Ks 12

Swinging some heavy bats, the Toronto Blue Jays just couldn't seem to get around on the Rangers' Yu Darvish, who fanned 12 in 6 2/3 innings for his ninth win against five losses, as Texas topped the Blue Jays, 5-1, in Toronto.

Texas scord two runs in the fifth and put up a three-spot in the seventh as Darvish was cruising through the Toronto lineup, which didn't get to him until the bottom of the seventh, when they scored their only run of the game. The Texas bullpen mopped up, taking the first of the three-game series, but the win won't help the Rangers much, as they trail Oakland in the West by 21 games.

Kimbrel: 30 Saves

Toronto fell into a tie for second with the NY Yankees in the East, four games behind division-leading Baltimore.

National League

Atlanta opened the second half of the season in strong fashion, taking over sole possession of first place in the East with a 6-4 win over the visiting Phillies.

With the Nationals dropping a 4-2 decision to Milwaukee, the Braves have a one-game lead over Washington with the Mets seven back and Miami 8 1/2 out.

Closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 30th save, giving him the major league lead. The Cardinals' Trevor Rosenthal has 29. Fernando Rodney of Seattle leads the AL with 27.

Kimbrel needed just 13 pitches to get through a perfect ninth inning, fanning two of the three batters he faced.

Game two of the three-game series starts Saturday at 7:10 pm ET.